U.S. patent application number 15/797585 was filed with the patent office on 2018-05-03 for apparatus for reducing noise input to fingerprint sensor.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Woo Hyek CHOI, Dae Kwang JUNG, Ji Hyun JUNG, Myung Su KANG, Jeong Seob KIM.
Application Number | 20180121703 15/797585 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 60201836 |
Filed Date | 2018-05-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180121703 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
JUNG; Dae Kwang ; et
al. |
May 3, 2018 |
APPARATUS FOR REDUCING NOISE INPUT TO FINGERPRINT SENSOR
Abstract
Disclosed is an electronic device that includes a cover glass
forming an outer surface of the electronic device, a first guide
structure disposed below the cover glass and transmitting light
polarized in a specified direction, a display panel disposed below
the first guide structure and including a plurality of pixels, a
second guide structure disposed below the display panel and
transmitting light polarized in the specified direction, and a
fingerprint sensor disposed below the second guide structure.
Inventors: |
JUNG; Dae Kwang;
(Gyeonggi-do, KR) ; KANG; Myung Su; (Seoul,
KR) ; KIM; Jeong Seob; (Daegu, KR) ; JUNG; Ji
Hyun; (Gyeonggi-do, KR) ; CHOI; Woo Hyek;
(Gyeonggi-do, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. |
Gyeonggi-do |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
Samsung Electronics Co.,
Ltd.
|
Family ID: |
60201836 |
Appl. No.: |
15/797585 |
Filed: |
October 30, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06K 9/0004 20130101;
G02F 1/163 20130101; G02B 26/004 20130101; G06F 3/041 20130101;
G06K 9/00046 20130101; G06K 9/58 20130101; G06K 9/40 20130101; G02B
27/286 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06K 9/00 20060101
G06K009/00; G06K 9/40 20060101 G06K009/40; G06K 9/58 20060101
G06K009/58 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 28, 2016 |
KR |
10-2016-0142397 |
Claims
1. An electronic device comprising: a cover glass forming an outer
surface of the electronic device; a first guide structure disposed
below the cover glass and transmitting light polarized in a
specified direction; a display panel disposed below the first guide
structure and including a plurality of pixels; a second guide
structure disposed below the display panel and transmitting light
polarized in the specified direction; and a fingerprint sensor
disposed below the second guide structure.
2. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising: an opaque
member disposed below the display panel, wherein the opaque member
includes an opening in an area corresponding to the fingerprint
sensor.
3. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising: a
protective layer disposed below the display panel, wherein the
second guide structure is disposed at the protective layer.
4. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein the protective layer
includes at least one of an embo, a sponge, and a copper (Cu)
graphite coating layer.
5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the fingerprint sensor
acquires a user's fingerprint information using light having passed
through the first and second guide structures, from reflected light
reflected by the user's finger making contact with the cover glass
after being emitted from the display panel.
6. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein the fingerprint sensor
acquires noise distribution that represents the degree to which
light other than the reflected light reaches the fingerprint sensor
and subtracts the noise distribution from the fingerprint
information.
7. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality
of pixels includes a first sub-pixel, a second sub-pixel, and
opaque electrodes disposed below the respective first and second
sub-pixels, wherein the second guide structure is disposed below
the first sub-pixel, and wherein if the first sub-pixel is turned
off and the second sub-pixel is turned on, the fingerprint sensor
acquires a user's fingerprint information using light having passed
through the first and second guide structures, from reflected light
reflected by a user's finger making contact with the cover glass
after being emitted from the second sub-pixel.
8. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising: an optical
guide refracting at least a portion of light emitted from the
plurality of pixels and refracting light reflected by a finger
making contact with the cover glass from the refracted light.
9. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the optical guide is
disposed in a semi-circular form on a surface of the cover glass,
and wherein the optical guide has a refractive index corresponding
to a refractive index of the cover glass.
10. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the optical guide is
disposed in a circular form on a surface of the cover glass, and
wherein the optical guide has a refractive index greater than a
refractive index of the cover glass.
11. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the optical guide
includes a pattern having a preset shape on a surface of the
optical guide.
12. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the optical guide is
transformed from a liquid layer into a lens having a preset shape
if a voltage is applied to the optical guide.
13. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the cover glass
includes a hole formed through the cover glass, and wherein the
hole refracts at least a portion of light emitted from the
plurality of pixels and refracts light reflected by a finger making
contact with the cover glass from the refracted light.
14. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising: a
photo-chromic layer disposed over the fingerprint sensor and having
a hole in an area corresponding to the fingerprint sensor, wherein
the photo-chromic layer changes color if a current is applied to
the photo-chromic layer, and the photo-chromic layer blocks out
external light input to the fingerprint sensor from outside the
electronic device.
15. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising: a filter
disposed over the fingerprint sensor and transmitting light in a
visible wavelength range.
16. An electronic device comprising: a cover glass forming an outer
surface of the electronic device; a first guide structure disposed
below the cover glass and transmitting light polarized in a
specified direction; and a display panel disposed below the first
guide structure and including a plurality of pixels, wherein the
display panel includes a second guide structure transmitting light
polarized in the specified direction and a pixel layer disposed
below the second guide structure and including the plurality of
pixels, and wherein each of the plurality of pixels includes a
plurality of sub-pixels and a fingerprint sensor.
17. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein the fingerprint
sensor acquires a user's fingerprint information using light having
passed through the first and second guide structures, from light
reflected by a user's finger making contact with the cover glass
after being emitted from the plurality of pixels.
18. The electronic device of claim 16, further comprising: an
optical guide refracting at least a portion of light emitted from
the plurality of pixels and refracting light reflected by a finger
making contact with the cover glass from the refracted light.
19. The electronic device of claim 16, further comprising: a
photo-chromic layer disposed over the fingerprint sensor and having
a hole in an area corresponding to the fingerprint sensor, wherein
the photo-chromic layer changes color if a current is applied to
the photo-chromic layer, and the photo-chromic layer blocks out
external light input to the fingerprint sensor from outside the
electronic device.
20. An electronic device comprising: a cover glass forming an outer
surface of the electronic device; a first guide structure disposed
below the cover glass and transmitting light polarized in a
specified direction; a display panel disposed below the first guide
structure and including a plurality of pixels and a second guide
structure transmitting light polarized in the specified direction;
and a fingerprint sensor disposed below the display panel.
Description
PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119(a) to Korean Patent Application Serial No. 10-2016-0142397,
which was filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Oct.
28, 2016, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Disclosure
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a technology for reducing
noise from a fingerprint sensor.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0003] With the development of technology for recognizing biometric
information, electronic devices that include a biometric sensor,
such as a fingerprint sensor, an iris sensor, or the like, have
become widely used. An electronic device may recognize a user's
biometric information by using a biometric sensor and may store the
recognized biometric information. The biometric information from
the electronic device may be used by the user for such things as to
unlock a screen, and to perform financial transactions (e.g.,
account transfer, electronic payment, and the like).
[0004] A fingerprint sensor may set a point at which a ridge splits
or terminates as a minutia point and may acquire the distribution
and number of minutia points from a fingerprint. The fingerprint
sensor may compare the distribution and number of newly recognized
minutia points with the distribution and number of minutia points
stored in memory to determine whether the fingerprints match each
other.
[0005] The above described fingerprint sensor may be disposed below
a home button of an electronic device. In the case where the
fingerprint sensor is disposed below the home button, the home
button is attached to an outer surface of the electronic device,
and thus there may be a limitation in configuring the outer surface
of the electronic device. For example, a full front screen type
electronic device, the front side which is all used for a display,
may have no space for a home button on the front side. Accordingly,
it is required to dispose a fingerprint sensor below a display to
acquire a user's fingerprint information.
[0006] In the case where a fingerprint sensor is disposed below a
display, noise from other sources (e.g., light directly input to
the fingerprint sensor from the display) may be introduced into the
fingerprint sensor. The noise may decrease the fingerprint
recognition rate of the fingerprint sensor.
SUMMARY
[0007] Aspects of the present disclosure address at least the above
mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and provide at least the
advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present
disclosure provides an electronic device for solving the above
mentioned problems and disadvantages.
[0008] In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, an
electronic device includes a cover glass forming an outer surface
of the electronic device; a first guide structure disposed below
the cover glass and transmitting light polarized in a specified
direction; a display panel disposed below the first guide structure
and including a plurality of pixels; a second guide structure
disposed below the display panel and transmitting light polarized
in the specified direction; and a fingerprint sensor disposed below
the second guide structure.
[0009] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure,
an electronic device includes a cover glass forming an outer
surface of the electronic device; a first guide structure disposed
below the cover glass and transmitting light polarized in a
specified direction; and a display panel disposed below the first
guide structure and including a plurality of pixels. The display
panel includes a second guide structure transmitting light
polarized in the specified direction and a pixel layer disposed
below the second guide structure and including the plurality of
pixels. Each of the plurality of pixels may include a plurality of
sub-pixels and a fingerprint sensor.
[0010] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure,
an electronic device includes a cover glass forming an outer
surface of the electronic device; a first guide structure disposed
below the cover glass and transmitting light polarized in a
specified direction; a display panel disposed below the first guide
structure and including a plurality of pixels and a second guide
structure transmitting light polarized in the specified direction;
and a fingerprint sensor disposed below the display panel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of
certain embodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent
from the following description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates an electronic device according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the electronic device,
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the electronic device,
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the electronic device including
a control unit, according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the
electronic device, according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the electronic device having a
guide structure disposed below a display panel thereof, according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the electronic device in which
light emitted from one of sub-pixels is input to a fingerprint
sensor through a second guide structure, according to an embodiment
of the present disclosure;
[0019] FIG. 8A is a sectional view of the electronic device in
which the fingerprint sensor is disposed inside the display panel
and the guide structure is disposed over the fingerprint sensor,
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 8B is a view of the electronic device in which the
fingerprint sensor is disposed inside the display panel and the
guide structure is disposed over the fingerprint sensor, according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0021] FIG. 9A is a sectional view of the electronic device in
which a plurality of pixels and the fingerprint sensor are arranged
inside the display panel and the guide structure is disposed over
the plurality of pixels and the fingerprint sensor, according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0022] FIG. 9B is a view of the electronic device in which a
plurality of pixels and the fingerprint sensor are arranged inside
the display panel and the guide structure is disposed over the
plurality of pixels and the fingerprint sensor, according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0023] FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the electronic device having
an optical guide disposed inside a cover glass thereof, according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 11A is a sectional view of the cover glass and the
optical guide having the same refractive index as the cover glass,
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0025] FIG. 11B is a sectional view of the cover glass and the
optical guide having a greater refractive index than the cover
glass, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 11C is a sectional view of the cover glass and the
optical guide having a preset shape on a surface thereof, according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0027] FIG. 11D is a sectional view of the electronic device and
the optical guide to which no voltage is applied, according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0028] FIG. 11E is a sectional view of the electronic device and
the optical guide to which a voltage is applied, according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0029] FIG. 11F is a sectional view of the cover glass and a hole
formed through the cover glass, according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0030] FIG. 12A is a view of the electronic device including a
photo-chromic layer, according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0031] FIG. 12B is a sectional view of the electronic device
including the photo-chromic layer, according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure;
[0032] FIG. 13A is a sectional view of the electronic device
including a filter disposed below the display panel thereof,
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0033] FIG. 13B is a sectional view of the electronic device
including a filter disposed inside the display panel thereof,
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0034] FIG. 13C illustrates a visible wavelength range and other
wavelength ranges of external light, according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure;
[0035] FIG. 14A illustrates noise distribution in the fingerprint
sensor, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0036] FIG. 14B illustrates a process in which the fingerprint
sensor acquires fingerprint information with reduced noise by
subtracting the noise distribution from acquired fingerprint
information, according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0037] FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a process of acquiring
fingerprint information by turning on pixels arranged in a region
of a display, according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0038] FIG. 16 illustrates the electronic device that includes the
display, a region of which is turned on, the fingerprint sensor,
and a region of which is turned off, according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure;
[0039] FIGS. 17A to 17D illustrate the display panel that includes
pixels turned on in a predetermined sequence and the fingerprint
sensor that acquires fingerprint information based on light emitted
from the turned on pixels, according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0040] FIG. 18 illustrates an electronic device in a network
environment, according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0041] FIG. 19 illustrates a block diagram of an electronic device,
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0042] FIG. 20 illustrates a block diagram of a program module,
according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0043] Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like
reference numbers may be used to depict the same or similar
elements, features, and structures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0044] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure
will be described with reference to accompanying drawings.
Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that
modifications, equivalents, and/or alternatives of the various
embodiments of the present disclosure described herein can be made
without departing from the scope and spirit of the present
disclosure. In the present disclosure, the expressions "have", "may
have", "include" and "comprise", or "may include" and "may
comprise" indicate the existence of corresponding features (e.g.,
elements such as numeric values, functions, operations, or
components) but do not exclude the presence of additional
features.
[0045] In the present disclosure, the expressions "A or B", "at
least one of A or/and B", or "one or more of A or/and B", and the
like may include any and all combinations of one or more of the
associated listed items. For example, the term "A or B", "at least
one of A and B", or "at least one of A or B" may refer to all of
the case (1) where at least one A is included, the case (2) where
at least one B is included, or the case (3) where both of at least
one A and at least one B are included.
[0046] The terms "first", "second", and the like used in the
present disclosure may be used to refer to various elements
regardless of the order and/or the priority and to distinguish the
relevant elements from other elements, but do not limit the
elements. For example, "a first user device" and "a second user
device" indicate different user devices regardless of the order or
priority. For example, without departing the scope of the present
disclosure, a first element may be referred to as a second element,
and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first
element.
[0047] It will be understood that when an element (e.g., a first
element) is referred to as being "(operatively or communicatively)
coupled with/to" or "connected to" another element (e.g., a second
element), it may be directly coupled with/to or connected to the
other element or an intervening element (e.g., a third element) may
be present. In contrast, when an element (e.g., a first element) is
referred to as being "directly coupled with/to" or "directly
connected to" another element (e.g., a second element), it should
be understood that there are no intervening element (e.g., a third
element).
[0048] According to the situation, the expression "configured to"
used in the present disclosure may be used interchangeably with
"suitable for", "having the capacity to", "designed to", "adapted
to", "made to", or "capable of". The term "configured to" does not
mean only "specifically designed to" in hardware. Instead, the
expression "a device configured to" may mean that the device is
"capable of" operating together with another device or other
components. For example, a "processor configured to (or set to)
perform A, B, and C" may mean a dedicated processor (e.g., an
embedded processor) for performing a corresponding operation or a
generic-purpose processor (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) or
an application processor (AP)) which performs corresponding
operations by executing one or more software programs which are
stored in a memory device.
[0049] Terms used in this disclosure are used to describe specific
embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit
the scope of another embodiments of the present disclosure. The
terms of a singular form may include plural forms unless otherwise
specified. All the terms used herein, which include technical or
scientific terms, may have the same meaning that is generally
understood by a person skilled in the art. It will be further
understood that terms, which are defined in a dictionary and
commonly used, should also be interpreted as is customary in the
relevant related art and not in an idealized or overly formal
fashion unless expressly so defined in various embodiments of the
present disclosure. In some cases, even if terms are terms which
are defined in this disclosure, they may not be interpreted to
exclude embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0050] An electronic device may include at least one of
smartphones, tablet personal computers (PCs), mobile phones, video
telephones, electronic book readers, desktop PCs, laptop PCs,
netbook computers, workstations, servers, personal digital
assistants (PDAs), portable multimedia players (PMPs), Motion
Picture Experts Group (MPEG-1 or MPEG-2) Audio Layer 3 (MP3)
players, mobile medical devices, cameras, or wearable devices. The
wearable device may include at least one of an accessory type
(e.g., watches, rings, bracelets, anklets, necklaces, glasses,
contact lens, or head-mounted-devices (HMDs), a fabric or
garment-integrated type (e.g., an electronic apparel), a
body-attached type (e.g., a skin pad or tattoos), or a
bio-implantable type (e.g., an implantable circuit).
[0051] The electronic device may be a home appliance. The home
appliances may include at least one of televisions (TVs), digital
versatile disc (DVD) players, audios, refrigerators, air
conditioners, cleaners, ovens, microwave ovens, washing machines,
air cleaners, set-top boxes, home automation control panels,
security control panels, TV boxes (e.g., Samsung HomeSync", Apple
TV.TM., or Google TV"), game consoles (e.g., Xbox.TM. or
PlayStation.TM.), electronic dictionaries, electronic keys,
camcorders, electronic picture frames, and the like.
[0052] An electronic device may include at least one of various
medical devices (e.g., various portable medical measurement devices
(e.g., a blood glucose monitoring device, a heartbeat measuring
device, a blood pressure measuring device, a body temperature
measuring device, and the like), a magnetic resonance angiography
(MRA), a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a computed tomography
(CT), scanners, and ultrasonic devices), navigation devices, global
navigation satellite system (GNSS), event data recorders (EDRs),
flight data recorders (FDRs), vehicle infotainment devices,
electronic equipment for vessels (e.g., navigation systems and
gyrocompasses), avionics, security devices, head units for
vehicles, industrial or home robots, automatic teller machines
(ATMs), point of sales (POSs) devices, or Internet of things (IoT)
devices (e.g., light bulbs, various sensors, electric or gas
meters, sprinkler devices, fire alarms, thermostats, street lamps,
toasters, exercise equipment, hot water tanks, heaters, boilers,
and the like).
[0053] The electronic device may include at least one of parts of
furniture or buildings/structures, electronic boards, electronic
signature receiving devices, projectors, or various measuring
instruments (e.g., water meters, electricity meters, gas meters, or
wave meters, and the like). The electronic device may be one of the
above described devices or a combination thereof. An electronic
device may be a flexible electronic device. Furthermore, an
electronic device may not be limited to the above described
electronic devices and may include other electronic devices and new
electronic devices according to the development of new
technologies.
[0054] In the present disclosure, the term "user" may refer to a
person who uses an electronic device or may refer to a device
(e.g., an artificial intelligence electronic device) that uses the
electronic device.
[0055] FIG. 1 illustrates an electronic device.
[0056] Referring to FIG. 1, an electronic device 100 may include a
display 130, a bezel 180, and a button 190.
[0057] The display 130 may display a fingerprint sensing area 110b.
The fingerprint sensing area 110b may be directly displayed on the
display 130, or may not be displayed on the display 130. The
fingerprint sensing area 110b may be displayed in a region
corresponding to a fingerprint sensor 171 disposed below the
display 130. The fingerprint sensing area 110b may have an
indication that induces a user to touch the display 130 with
his/her finger. If the fingerprint sensing area 110b is displayed
on the display 130, the user may touch the fingerprint sensing area
110b with his/her finger. The fingerprint sensor 171 may acquire
fingerprint information through an overlapping area between the
fingerprint sensing area 110b and a contact area 110a in which the
user's finger makes contact with the display 130.
[0058] The bezel 180 may be disposed on a side surface of the
display 130 and may be coupled with a housing. The bezel 180 may
include a non-metal area and may be implemented with a plastic
injection molded material. A receiver, a proximity sensor, a
camera, and the like may be disposed in a region of the bezel
180.
[0059] The button 190 may be disposed in a region of the bezel 180
to control the electronic device 100. For example, the button 190
may be referred to as a home button, a back button, or a menu
button. In the case where the button 190 is a home button 190, a
home screen may be output on the display 130 if the user presses
the button 190.
[0060] While FIG. 1 shows that the electronic device 100 includes
the display 130, the bezel 180, and the button 190, the electronic
device 100 may be a full front screen type electronic device. In
the case where the electronic device 100 is a full front screen
type electronic device, the display 130, not including the bezel
180 and the button 190, may be disposed on the front side of the
electronic device 100.
[0061] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the electronic device 100.
[0062] Referring to FIG. 2, the electronic device 100 may include a
cover glass 110, an adhesive 120, the display 130, structures 140-1
and 140-2, a printed circuit board (PCB) 150, elastic bodies 160-1
and 160-2, and the fingerprint sensor 171.
[0063] The cover glass 110 may transmit light generated by the
display 130. Furthermore, a user may perform a touch event
(including contact using an electronic pen) by touching the cover
glass 110 with a part of his/her body (e.g., a finger). The cover
glass 110 may be formed from reinforced glass, reinforced plastic,
a flexible polymer material, or the like to form an outer surface
of the electronic device 100. The cover glass 110 may be referred
to as a glass window.
[0064] The adhesive 120 may be used to stick the cover glass 110
and the display 130 together. The adhesive 120 may include a
transparent film to transmit light generated by the display 130.
The adhesive 120 may be referred to as an optical clear adhesive
film.
[0065] The structures 140-1 and 140-2 may be elements for ensuring
space in which the fingerprint sensor 171 is mounted. The
structures 140-1 and 140-2 may be referred to as brackets. The
structures 140-1 and 140-2 may be formed from a magnesium alloy and
may be coupled with the display 130 and/or the PCB 150 to
physically support the display 130 and/or the PCB 150.
[0066] The PCB 150 may be disposed below the structures 140-1 and
140-2 and may be electrically connected with the display 130 and/or
the fingerprint sensor 171 through a connector or interconnection
wiring. The PCB 150 may be implemented with a rigid printed circuit
board (rigid PCB). Various types of electronic components,
elements, printed circuits, and the like of the electronic device
100 may be mounted or arranged on the PCB 150.
[0067] The elastic bodies 160-1 and 160-2 may be disposed between
the fingerprint sensor 171 and the display 130 to absorb a shock
between the fingerprint sensor 171 and the display 130. The elastic
bodies 160-1 and 160-2 may be formed of sponge, rubber, or the
like. The elastic bodies 160-1 and 160-2 may prevent foreign
substances from infiltrating into the fingerprint sensor 171.
[0068] The fingerprint sensor 171 may be disposed between the
display 130 and the PCB 150 to acquire fingerprint information
about a finger that makes contact with the cover glass 110. While
FIG. 2 shows that the fingerprint sensor 171 is disposed between
the display 130 and the PCB 150, the fingerprint sensor 171 may be
disposed inside the display 130 or may be disposed between the
cover glass 110 and the display 130.
[0069] The fingerprint sensor 171 may be smaller in size than the
display 130, or may be equal to the display 130 in size. In the
case where the fingerprint sensor 171 has the same size as the
display 130, the fingerprint sensor 171 may acquire fingerprint
information through the entire area of the display 130. One or more
fingerprint sensors 171 may be provided. In the case where two or
more fingerprint sensors 171 are provided, fingerprint information
may be acquired through a plurality of areas.
[0070] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the electronic device 100.
[0071] Referring to FIG. 3, the electronic device 100 may include a
processor 151, a memory 152, the display 130, and a sensor 170.
[0072] A first processor 151a may control the connected memory 152,
the display 130, and the sensor 170. For example, the first
processor 151a may turn on/off the display 130 by using
instructions stored in the memory 152. A second processor 151b may
control the display 130 and the sensor 170 in the case where the
electronic device 100 operates in a low-power mode. For example, if
a user touches the display 130 with a part of his/her body (e.g., a
finger), the second processor 151b may acquire fingerprint
information through the fingerprint sensor 171. If the user touches
the display 130 with an object (e.g., a touch pen), the second
processor 151b may sense the position of the object through a touch
sensor 172.
[0073] The memory 152 may store instructions for controlling the
display 130, the sensor 170, and the like. The memory 152 may
include a normal area for storing applications and a secure area
for storing security sensitive information (e.g., information
acquired by the fingerprint sensor 171).
[0074] The display 130 may include a display driver IC (DDI) 132
and a display panel 131. The display panel 131 may include a
plurality of pixels. The DDI 132 may electrically connect the
processor 151 and the display panel 131 together. The DDI 132 may
control at least some of the plurality of pixels included in the
display panel 131 to display an image.
[0075] The sensor 170 may include the fingerprint sensor 171 and/or
the touch sensor 172. The fingerprint sensor 171 may acquire
fingerprint information from the user's finger that makes contact
with the cover glass 110. If light emitted from the display 130 is
reflected from the finger, the fingerprint sensor 171 may acquire
fingerprint information by using the reflected light. The
fingerprint sensor 171 may be of an optical type, an ultrasonic
type, or a capacitive type, and the type of fingerprint sensor 171
is not limited thereto. The touch sensor 172 may sense the position
where the user touches the display 130.
[0076] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the electronic device 100
including a control unit.
[0077] Referring to FIG. 4, the electronic device 100 may include
first to fifth control units 210 to 250.
[0078] The electronic device 100 may control the first processor
151a by using the first control unit 210. The electronic device 100
may control the memory 152, the display 130, and the sensor 170 by
using the first control unit 210. The electronic device 100 may
control the second processor 151b by using the second control unit
220. The electronic device 100 may control the display 130 and the
sensor 170 by using the second control unit 220 in the case where
the electronic device 100 operates in a low-power mode.
[0079] The electronic device 100 may control the DDI 132 by using
the third control unit 230. The electronic device 100 may control
the display panel 131 connected with the DDI 132, by using the
third control unit 230. The electronic device 100 may control the
fingerprint sensor 171 by using the fourth control unit 240. The
electronic device 100 may acquire fingerprint information by using
the fourth control unit 240. The electronic device 100 may control
the first to fourth control units 210 to 240 by using the fifth
control unit 250.
[0080] The electronic device 100 may select one of the first to
fifth control units 210 to 250 as a main control unit, and the
selected control unit may control the other control units. The
electronic device 100 may control modules included in the
electronic device 100 by using one of the first to fifth control
units 210 to 250. For example, the electronic device 100 may
control the second processor 151b, the memory 152, the display 130,
and the sensor 170 by using the first control unit 210.
[0081] The electronic device 100 may simultaneously control the
display 130 and the sensor 170 by using one of the first to fifth
control units 210 to 250. For example, in the case where the
fingerprint sensor 171 is an optical fingerprint sensor 171, the
electronic device 100 may use the display 130 as a light source
through the first control unit 210. If the display 130 emits light,
the electronic device 100 may acquire fingerprint information by
controlling the fingerprint sensor 171 through the first control
unit 210.
[0082] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the
electronic device 100. FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the electronic
device 100 having a guide structure disposed below the display
panel 131. In the present disclosure, the contents described above
with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 may also be identically applied to
elements having the same reference numerals as the elements of the
electronic device 100 that have been described with reference to
FIGS. 1 to 4.
[0083] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, in step 510, the electronic
device 100 may enter a state for recognizing a fingerprint. For
example, the state for recognizing a fingerprint may be a state for
storing a recognized fingerprint in the memory 152. The state for
recognizing a fingerprint may be a state for reading a fingerprint
and comparing the read fingerprint information with fingerprint
information stored in the memory 152 to unlock a lock screen.
[0084] If the electronic device 100 enters the state for
recognizing a fingerprint, in step 520, the display panel 131 may
emit light. The light emitted from the display panel 131 may
radiate toward the cover glass 110 and may radiate toward the
fingerprint sensor 171 disposed below the display panel 131. The
light radiating toward the cover glass 110 may be reflected by a
user's finger 300 making contact with a surface of the cover glass
110 and may pass through the cover glass 110 to escape from the
electronic device 100. The light radiating toward the fingerprint
sensor 171 may be directly input to the fingerprint sensor 171 and
may be absorbed by an opaque member 630, opaque electrodes 131a,
and the like.
[0085] If the display panel 131 emits light, the fingerprint sensor
171 may receive the light through a first guide structure 610 and a
second guide structure 620 in step 530. For example, the
fingerprint sensor 171 may receive light having passed through the
first and second guide structures 610 and 620 after reflected by
the finger 300, from the light emitted from the display panel 131.
If the light is received through the first and second guide
structures 610 and 620, the fingerprint sensor 171 may acquire
fingerprint information based on the received light in step 540.
The fingerprint information may be an image of the fingerprint, the
positions of minutia points, the number of minutia points,
distribution of minutia points, or the like. In the present
disclosure, the guide structures may be referred to as polarizing
plates.
[0086] In step 550, the electronic device 100 may determine whether
the acquired fingerprint information is sufficient. For example,
the electronic device 100 may determine whether an acquired
fingerprint image is greater than or equal to an area set in
advance. If the acquired fingerprint image is greater than or equal
to the area set in advance, the electronic device 100 may store, in
the memory 152, the positions of minutia points, the distribution
of minutia points, and the like on the basis of the acquired
fingerprint image. If the acquired fingerprint image is smaller
than the area set in advance, the electronic device 100 may allow
the display 130 to emit light and the fingerprint sensor 171 to
receive the light through the first and second guide structures 610
and 620 to acquire an additional image.
[0087] Referring to FIG. 6, the electronic device 100 may include
the first guide structure 610, the second guide structure 620, and
the opaque member 630.
[0088] The first guide structure 610 may be disposed below the
cover glass 110 and may transmit light polarized in a specified
direction. The specified direction may be a direction perpendicular
to the fingerprint sensor 171. For example, the first guide
structure 610 may transmit light polarized in the specified
direction, from the light 650 that has been reflected by the finger
300 after emitted from the display 130. The first guide structure
610 may transmit light polarized in the specified direction, from
external light 660 (e.g., sunlight) incident on the electronic
device 100 from the outside.
[0089] The display panel 131 may be disposed below the first guide
structure 610 and may include a plurality of pixels. The pixels may
include a plurality of sub-pixels and the opaque electrodes 131a.
For example, the pixels may include red sub-pixels 131R that emits
red light, green sub-pixels 131G that emits green light, blue
sub-pixels 131B that emits blue light, and the opaque electrodes
131a disposed below the respective sub-pixels. The opaque
electrodes 131a may apply a current to the sub-pixels to allow the
sub-pixels to emit light. The opaque electrodes 131a may block out
light radiating downward from the sub-pixels.
[0090] The second guide structure 620 may be disposed below the
display panel 131 and may transmit light polarized in the specified
direction. For example, the second guide structure 620 may transmit
light polarized in the specified direction, from the reflected
light 650 and the external light 660 that have passed through the
first guide structure 610. The second guide structure 620 may also
transmit light polarized in the specified direction, from straight
light 640 emitted from the display panel 131. The second guide
structure 620 may have the same guide structure as the first guide
structure 610, or may be a guide structure for polarizing light in
the same direction as the first guide structure 610.
[0091] Since the second guide structure 620 is disposed below the
display panel 131, it is possible to reduce the external light 660
and/or the straight light 640 that is input to the fingerprint
sensor 171, thereby decreasing noise and thus increasing a
fingerprint recognition rate of the fingerprint sensor 171.
[0092] The opaque member 630 may be disposed below the display
panel 131. The opaque member 630 may include an opening in an area
that corresponds to the fingerprint sensor 171, and the reflected
light 650 may be input to the fingerprint sensor 171 through the
opening. The opaque member 630 may block out light radiating
downward from the display panel 131 to increase visibility.
[0093] The opaque member 630 may be a protective layer disposed
below the display panel 131, and the second guide structure 620 may
be disposed in the protective layer. If the second guide structure
620 is disposed in the protective layer, the separation distance
between the cover glass 110 and the fingerprint sensor 171 may be
decreased, which results in a decrease in the sensing distance of
the fingerprint sensor 171. Since the amount and intensity of the
reflected light 650 input to the fingerprint sensor 171 increase
with the decreasing sensing distance, the fingerprint sensor 171
may acquire a high-resolution fingerprint image.
[0094] The protective layer may include at least one of an embo, a
sponge, and a copper (Cu) graphite coating layer. The embo may be a
layer comprising a bumpy pattern. For example, the protective layer
may include an embossed pattern, a sponge, or the like to absorb a
shock between the display 130 and the fingerprint sensor 171,
thereby protecting the display 130 and the fingerprint sensor 171.
The protective layer may be formed of copper graphite to prevent
heat generated in the display 130 from being transferred to the
fingerprint sensor 171. Since heat transferred to the fingerprint
sensor 171 causes noise, the protective layer may block out heat
transfer to the fingerprint sensor 171 to increase a fingerprint
recognition rate of the fingerprint sensor 171.
[0095] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the electronic device 100 in
which light emitted from one of the sub-pixels is input to the
fingerprint sensor 171 through the second guide structure 620.
[0096] Referring to FIG. 7, the fingerprint sensor 171 may acquire
fingerprint information by using only light emitted from some
sub-pixels. For example, the sub-pixels may include a first
sub-pixel, a second sub-pixel, and the opaque electrodes 131a
disposed below the first and second sub-pixels, respectively, and
the second guide structure 620 may be disposed below the first
sub-pixel.
[0097] The first sub-pixel may be a sub-pixel that is turned off,
from the sub-pixels. For example, in FIG. 7, the first sub-pixel
may be the red sub-pixel 131R or the blue sub-pixel 131B. The
second sub-pixel may be a sub-pixel that is turned on, from the
sub-pixels. In FIG. 7, the second sub-pixel may be the green
sub-pixel 131G. While it is shown in FIG. 7 that the first
sub-pixel is the red sub-pixel 131R or the blue sub-pixel 131B and
the second sub-pixel is the green sub-pixel 131G, the first and
second sub-pixels are not limited thereto.
[0098] If the second sub-pixel is turned on, light emitted from the
second sub-pixel may radiate toward the cover glass 110 and may be
reflected from the finger 300, or may radiate toward the second
guide structure 620. Furthermore, a portion of the light emitted
from the second sub-pixel may be absorbed by the opaque electrodes
131a. The fingerprint sensor 171 may acquire fingerprint
information by using the light emitted from the second sub-pixel.
For example, if the first sub-pixel is turned off and the second
sub-pixel is turned on, the fingerprint sensor 171 may acquire a
user's fingerprint information by using the reflected light 650
having passed through the first and second guide structures 610 and
620 after emitted from the second sub-pixel.
[0099] Since the first sub-pixel is turned off when the second
sub-pixel is turned on, the first sub-pixel may not emit light. If
the first sub-pixel is turned on to emit light, the light may be
directly input to the fingerprint sensor 171. Accordingly, the
light emitted from the first sub-pixel may cause noise in the
fingerprint sensor 171.
[0100] The electronic device 100 may turn on sub-pixels (e.g., the
first sub-pixel) disposed over the second guide structure 620. For
example, if the first sub-pixel is turned on, light emitted from
the first sub-pixel may radiate toward the cover glass 110 and may
be reflected from the finger 300, or may radiate toward the second
guide structure 620. Furthermore, a portion of the light emitted
from the first sub-pixel may be absorbed by the opaque electrodes
131a. The fingerprint sensor 171 may acquire fingerprint
information by using the light emitted from the first sub-pixel.
For example, if the first sub-pixel is turned on and the second
sub-pixel is turned off, the fingerprint sensor 171 may acquire the
user's fingerprint information by using the reflected light 650
having passed through the first and second guide structures 610 and
620 after emitted from the first sub-pixel. Since the second
sub-pixel is turned off when the first sub-pixel is turned on, the
second sub-pixel may not emit light. If the second sub-pixel emits
light, the light may be input to the fingerprint sensor 171.
Accordingly, the light emitted from the second sub-pixel may cause
noise.
[0101] Noise (e.g., straight light emitted from a turned-off
sub-pixel) may be reduced by using only light emitted from a turned
on sub-pixel.
[0102] FIG. 8A is a sectional view of the electronic device 100 in
which the fingerprint sensor 171 is disposed inside the display
panel 131 and a guide structure is disposed over the fingerprint
sensor 171. FIG. 8B is a view of the electronic device 100 in which
the fingerprint sensor 171 is disposed inside the display panel 131
and a guide structure is disposed over the fingerprint sensor 171.
FIG. 8A is a sectional view of the electronic device 100 shown in
FIG. 8B.
[0103] FIG. 9A is a sectional view of the electronic device 100 in
which a plurality of pixels and the fingerprint sensor 171 are
arranged inside the display panel 131 and a guide structure is
disposed over the plurality of pixels and the fingerprint sensor
171. FIG. 9B is a view of the electronic device 100 in which a
plurality of pixels and the fingerprint sensor 171 are arranged
inside the display panel 131 and a guide structure is disposed over
the plurality of pixels and the fingerprint sensor 171. FIG. 9A is
a sectional view of the electronic device 100 shown in FIG. 9B.
[0104] Referring to FIGS. 8A to 9B, the electronic device 100 may
include the cover glass 110, the first guide structure 610, and the
display panel 131. The cover glass 110 and the first guide
structure 610 shown in FIGS. 8A to 9B may be substantially the same
as the cover glass 110 and the first guide structure 610 described
above with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6. The display panel 131 may
include the second guide structure 620, a pixel layer, and the
fingerprint sensor 171. The second guide structure 620 may be
disposed inside the display panel 131 and may transmit light
polarized in a specified direction. The pixel layer may be disposed
below the second guide structure 620 and may include a plurality of
pixels.
[0105] Since the pixel layer and the fingerprint sensor 171 are
disposed in the same plane in FIGS. 8A to 9B, the straight light
640, from light emitted from sub-pixels, may not be input to the
fingerprint sensor 171. In contrast to the straight light 640, a
portion of the reflected light 650, which has been reflected by the
finger 300 after emitted from the sub-pixels, may be input to the
fingerprint sensor 171 through the first and second guide
structures 610 and 620. The fingerprint sensor 171 may acquire
fingerprint information based on the reflected light 650 input
through the first and second guide structures 610 and 620.
[0106] Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, a pixel 131P may include a
plurality of sub-pixels and the fingerprint sensor 171, and the
guide structure 620 may be disposed over the fingerprint sensor
171. The pixel 131P may or may not include the second guide
structure 620. Furthermore, the pixel 131P may include any one of
the red sub-pixel 131R, the green sub-pixel 131G, and the blue
sub-pixel 131B, and the configuration of the pixel 131P is not
limited thereto.
[0107] Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the second guide structure 620
may be disposed to cover both the pixel layer and the fingerprint
sensor 171, unlike in FIGS. 8A and 8B. The structure of the
sub-pixels, the fingerprint sensor 171, and the second guide
structure 620 is not limited to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 8A
to 9B.
[0108] FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the electronic device 100
having an optical guide 1010 disposed inside the cover glass
110.
[0109] Referring to FIG. 10, the electronic device 100 may further
include the optical guide 1010. The optical guide 1010 may refract
light emitted from pixels to allow the refracted light to pass
through the first and second guide structures 610 and 620. At least
a portion of the light emitted from the pixels may be refracted
while passing through the optical guide 1010. At least a portion of
the light refracted while passing through the optical guide 1010
may be reflected by the finger 300 making contact with the cover
glass 110. At least a portion of the reflected light may be
refracted again while passing through the optical guide 1010 and
may be polarized in a specified direction. Since the light
polarized in the specified direction passes through the first and
second guide structure 610 and 620, the fingerprint sensor 171 may
acquire fingerprint information based on the refracted light.
[0110] For example, if there is no refraction guide, the straight
light 640 described above with reference to FIG. 6 may pass through
the cover glass 110 and may escape from the electronic device 100
without being reflected by the finger 300. However, if the optical
guide 1010 is present, the straight light 640 may be reflected by
the finger 300 while passing through the optical guide 1010 and may
be polarized in the specified direction while passing through the
optical guide 1010 again. If the straight light 640 is polarized in
the specified direction, the fingerprint sensor 171 may acquire
fingerprint information by using the straight light 640. The amount
of light reflected from a fingerprint may be increased by using the
optical guide 1010, thereby enhancing a fingerprint recognition
rate.
[0111] While FIG. 10 shows that the optical guide 1010 is disposed
inside the cover glass 110, the optical guide 1010 may be disposed
on a surface of the cover glass 110, or may be disposed inside the
display 130. As long as the optical guide 1010 is disposed over the
pixel layer and the fingerprint sensor 171, the position of the
optical guide 1010 is within the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0112] FIG. 11A is a sectional view of the cover glass 110 and the
optical guide 1010 having the same refractive index as the cover
glass 110. FIG. 11B is a sectional view of the cover glass 110 and
the optical guide 1010 having a greater refractive index than the
cover glass 110. FIG. 11C is a sectional view of the cover glass
110 and the optical guide 1010 having a preset shape on a surface
thereof. FIG. 11D is a sectional view of the electronic device 100
and the optical guide 1010 to which no voltage is applied. FIG. 11E
is a sectional view of the electronic device 100 and the optical
guide 1010 to which a voltage is applied. FIG. 11F is a sectional
view of the cover glass 110 and a hole formed through the cover
glass 110.
[0113] Referring to FIG. 11A, the optical guide 1010 may be
disposed in a semi-circular form on a surface of the cover glass
110. The refractive index of the optical guide 1010 may be
substantially the same as that of the cover glass 110. In the case
where the optical guide 1010 has the same refractive index as the
cover glass 110, the straight light 640 may travel straight without
being refracted within the optical guide 1010 and the cover glass
110. The straight light 640 may be refracted at the boundary of the
optical guide 1010 and at the boundary of the cover glass 110,
unlike within the optical guide 1010 and the cover glass 110. The
refracted straight light 640 may be incident on the fingerprint
sensor 171.
[0114] Referring to FIG. 11B, the optical guide 1010 may be
disposed in a circular form on a surface of the cover glass 110.
The refractive index of the optical guide 1010 may be greater than
that of the cover glass 110. In the case where the optical guide
1010 has a greater refractive index than the cover glass 110, the
straight light 640 may be refracted at the boundary of the optical
guide 1010 and at the boundary of the cover glass 110. For example,
the straight light 640 may be refracted while passing through two
interfaces of the optical guide 1010 and may be refracted at the
boundary of the cover glass 110. The light refracted at the
boundary of the cover glass 110 may be incident on the fingerprint
sensor 171 while passing through the two interfaces of the optical
guide 1010 again. The refractive index of the optical guide 1010
may vary depending on the material (e.g., glass) of the optical
guide 1010. For example, the optical guide 1010 may have a smaller
refractive index than the cover glass 110. While FIGS. 11A and 11B
show that the optical guide 1010 has a semi-circular or circular
form, the optical guide 1010 may have a triangular form, and the
form of the optical guide 1010 is not limited to the above
described embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0115] Referring to FIG. 11C, the optical guide 1010 may include a
pattern having a preset shape on a surface thereof. The optical
guide 1010 may be a lens (e.g., a diffractive optical element (DOE)
lens) that has a preset shape on a surface thereof. As shown in
FIG. 11C, the pattern may have a repeated arrangement of saw-tooth
shapes and may be symmetrical with respect to the center of the
optical guide 1010. The refractive index of the optical guide 1010
may be varied depending on the shape of the surface of the optical
guide 1010. For example, the thickness of the optical guide 1010
may be varied depending on the shape of the surface of the optical
guide 1010, and the refractive index of the optical guide 1010 may
be increased with an increasing thickness of the optical guide
1010.
[0116] Referring to FIGS. 11D and 11E, the optical guide 1010 may
be transformed from a liquid layer into a lens having a preset
shape if a voltage is applied to opposite ends of the optical guide
1010. For example, the optical guide 1010 may be a transparent
liquid crystal lens that has optical characteristics varying
depending on whether a voltage is applied thereto. While FIG. 11E
shows that the optical guide 1010 is transformed into a circular
lens if a voltage is applied to the opposite ends of the optical
guide 1010, the preset shape is not limited thereto.
[0117] Since the optical guide 1010 is in a liquid layer state
before a voltage is applied thereto, the optical guide 1010 may not
refract light. However, since the optical guide 1010 is transformed
into a lens having a preset shape if a voltage is applied thereto,
the optical guide 1010 may refract light emitted from the display
130 and may use the refracted light as the reflected light 650. The
first or second processor 151a or 151b described with reference to
FIG. 3 may control a battery to apply a voltage to the optical
guide 1010. The first or second processor 151a or 151b may allow
the battery to apply a voltage to the optical guide 1010 while
applying a voltage to the display 130. The first or second
processor 151a or 151b may also control the battery to
independently apply a voltage to the optical guide 1010 to
transform the optical guide 1010 into a lens having a preset
shape.
[0118] Referring to FIG. 11F, the cover glass 110 may include a
hole formed through the cover glass 110. The cover glass 110 may
have a single hole, or may have a plurality of holes, for example
the same number of holes as pixels. The hole may be present in only
the fingerprint sensing area 110b described above with reference to
FIG. 1, and the hole may have a circular cylindrical shape.
[0119] The hole formed through the cover glass 100 may refract
light emitted from a pixel, and the refracted light may be used as
the reflected light 650. For example, at least a portion of the
light emitted from the pixel may be refracted while passing through
the hole. At least a portion of the light refracted while passing
through the hole may be reflected by the finger 300 making contact
with the cover glass 110. At least a portion of the reflected light
may be refracted again while passing through the hole and may be
polarized in a specified direction. Since the light polarized in
the specified direction passes through the first and second guide
structures 610 and 620, the fingerprint sensor 171 may acquire
fingerprint information based on the refracted light.
[0120] FIG. 12A is a view of the electronic device 100 including a
photo-chromic layer 1210. FIG. 12B is a sectional view of the
electronic device 100 including the photo-chromic layer 1210.
[0121] Referring to FIGS. 12A and 12B, the electronic device 100
may include the photo-chromic layer 1210 disposed over the
fingerprint sensor 171 and having a hole in an area thereof that
corresponds to the fingerprint sensor 171. The photo-chromic layer
1210 may change color if a current is applied to the photo-chromic
layer 1210. For example, the photo-chromic layer 1210 in a
transparent state may turn into an achromatic color if a current is
applied thereto. The photo-chromic layer 1210, which has changed in
color, may block out the external light 660 (e.g., sunlight) input
to the fingerprint sensor 171 from outside the electronic device
100.
[0122] Unlike the external light 660, light emitted from the
display panel 131 may be input to the fingerprint sensor 171
through a hole 1210a of the photo-chromic layer 1210. For example,
the light emitted from the display panel 131 may be reflected by
the finger 300 making contact with the cover glass 110 and may be
input to the fingerprint sensor 171 through the hole 1210a. The
fingerprint sensor 171 may acquire fingerprint information based on
the light reflected by the finger 300 and input to the fingerprint
sensor 171 through the hole 1210a. A fingerprint recognition rate
may be increased by blocking out the external light 660 through the
photo-chromic layer 1210.
[0123] The first processor 151a or second processor 151b described
above with reference to FIG. 3 may control a battery to apply a
current to the photo-chromic layer 1210. For example, the first
processor 151a or second processor 151b may control the battery to
apply a current to the photo-chromic layer 1210 when the
fingerprint sensor 171 acquires fingerprint information. The first
processor 151a or second processor 151b may also control the
battery to apply a current to the photo-chromic layer 1210 if the
finger 300 makes contact with the display panel 131.
[0124] While FIG. 12B shows that the photo-chromic layer 1210 is
disposed between the display panel 131 and the fingerprint sensor
171, the photo-chromic layer 1210 has only to be disposed over the
fingerprint sensor 171, and the photo-chromic layer 1210 may be
disposed over the cover glass 110. The size of the hole may be the
same as, or different from, that of the fingerprint sensing area
110b described above with reference to FIG. 1.
[0125] FIG. 13A is a sectional view of the electronic device 100
including a filter 1310 disposed below the display panel 131. FIG.
13B is a sectional view of the electronic device 100 including the
filter 1310 disposed inside the display panel 131. FIG. 13C
illustrates a visible wavelength range and other wavelength ranges
of external light.
[0126] Referring to FIGS. 13A and 13B, the electronic device 100
may further include the filter 1310 disposed over the fingerprint
sensor 171. Referring to FIG. 13A, the filter 1310 may be disposed
between the display panel 131 and the fingerprint sensor 171, and
referring to FIG. 13B, the filter 1310 may be disposed inside the
display panel 131. In the case where the filter 1310 is disposed
inside the display panel 131, the filter 1310 may be included in a
pixel. Since a requirement for filter 1310 is that it be disposed
over the fingerprint sensor 171, the filter 1310 may also be
disposed over the cover glass 110 or below the cover glass 110.
[0127] While FIGS. 13A and 13B show that the filter 1310 is
disposed inside the display panel 131, or between the display panel
131 and the fingerprint sensor 171, the filter 1310 may be disposed
both inside the display panel 131 and between the display panel 131
and the fingerprint sensor 171. The filter 1310 may be a filter
that transmits light in the visible wavelength range and may be a
narrow RGB filter. The filter 1310 may also be the second guide
structure 620 described above with reference to FIG. 6.
[0128] The filter 1310 may transmit light in a visible wavelength
range 1320 to reduce noise input to the fingerprint sensor 171.
Referring to FIG. 13C, the external light 660 (e.g., sunlight)
introduced into the electronic device 100 from the outside may
include light in various wavelength ranges. Since the external
light 660 causes noise in the fingerprint sensor 171, the filter
1310 may filter light in wavelength ranges 1330 other than the
visible wavelength range 1320 to reduce noise in the fingerprint
sensor 171. While FIG. 13C shows that the filter 1310 transmits
light in the visible wavelength range 1320, the filter 1310 may
prevent light in the visible wavelength range 1320 from being input
to the fingerprint sensor 171 and may transmit light in the
wavelength ranges 1330 other than the visible wavelength range
1320. What is shown in FIG. 13C is given by way of illustration
only, and the wavelength range of light that the filter 1310
transmits is not limited to what is shown in FIG. 13C.
[0129] FIG. 14A illustrates noise distribution in the fingerprint
sensor 171. FIG. 14B illustrates a process in which the fingerprint
sensor 171 acquires fingerprint information with reduced noise by
subtracting noise distribution from the acquired fingerprint
information.
[0130] Referring to FIG. 14A, the fingerprint sensor 171 may
acquire noise distribution 1410 that represents the degree to which
light other than the reflected light 650, which has been described
above with reference to FIG. 6, reaches the fingerprint sensor 171.
For example, the fingerprint sensor 171 may acquire, as the noise
distribution 1410, the degree to which the straight light 640 and
the external light 660, which have been described above with
reference to FIG. 6, reach the fingerprint sensor 171. The noise
distribution 1410 may be acquired on a pixel-by-pixel basis or by
regions of pixels. If the noise distribution 1410 is acquired, the
memory 152 may store the noise distribution 1410.
[0131] Referring to FIG. 14B, the fingerprint sensor 171 may
acquire fingerprint information based on light having passed
through the first and second guide structures 610 and 620. The
light having passed through the first and second guide structures
610 and 620 may include the straight light 640 and the external
light 660, which have been described above with reference to FIG.
6, as well as the reflected light 650 reflected by the finger 300.
Since only the reflected light 650 is necessary when the
fingerprint sensor 171 acquires the fingerprint information, the
straight light 640 and the external light 660 may cause noise in
the fingerprint sensor 171.
[0132] Accordingly, the fingerprint sensor 171 may subtract the
noise distribution 1410 from the acquired fingerprint information
1420 to acquire fingerprint information 1430 with reduced noise.
The fingerprint information 1420 may be fingerprint information
acquired through the electronic device 100 shown in FIG. 6, and the
noise distribution 1410 may be the noise distribution shown in FIG.
14A. A fingerprint recognition rate may be increased by acquiring
the fingerprint information 1430 with reduced noise by subtracting
the noise distribution 1410.
[0133] An electronic device includes a cover glass forming an outer
surface of the electronic device, a first guide structure disposed
below the cover glass and transmitting light polarized in a
specified direction, a display panel disposed below the first guide
structure and including a plurality of pixels, a second guide
structure disposed below the display panel and transmitting light
polarized in the specified direction, and a fingerprint sensor
disposed below the second guide structure.
[0134] The electronic device may further include an opaque member
disposed below the display panel, and the opaque member may include
an opening in an area corresponding to the fingerprint sensor.
[0135] The electronic device may further include a protective layer
disposed below the display panel, and the second guide structure
may be disposed at the protective layer. The protective layer may
include at least one of an embo, a sponge, and a copper (Cu)
graphite coating layer.
[0136] The fingerprint sensor may acquire a user's fingerprint
information using light that passed through the first and second
guide structures, from reflected light from when the user's finger
made contact with the cover glass which was emitted from the
display panel.
[0137] The fingerprint sensor may recognize a fingerprint acquiring
noise distribution that represents the degree to which light other
than the reflected light reaches the fingerprint sensor and
subtracting the noise distribution from the fingerprint
information.
[0138] Each of the plurality of pixels may include a first
sub-pixel, a second sub-pixel, and opaque electrodes disposed below
the respective first and second sub-pixels. The second guide
structure may be disposed below the first sub-pixel. If the first
sub-pixel is turned off and the second sub-pixel is turned on, the
fingerprint sensor may acquire a user's fingerprint information
using light that passed through the first and second guide
structures, from reflected light from when a user's finger made
contact with the cover glass after the light was emitted from the
second sub-pixel.
[0139] The electronic device may further include an optical guide
refracting at least a portion of the light emitted from the
plurality of pixels and refracting light reflected by a user's
finger making contact with the cover glass.
[0140] The optical guide may be disposed in a semi-circular form on
a surface of the cover glass, and the optical guide may have a
refractive index corresponding to the refractive index of the cover
glass.
[0141] The optical guide may be disposed in a circular form on a
surface of the cover glass, and the optical guide may have a
refractive index greater than a refractive index of the cover
glass.
[0142] The optical guide may include a pattern having a preset
shape on a surface of the optical guide.
[0143] The optical guide may be transformed from a liquid layer
into a lens having a preset shape if a voltage is applied to the
optical guide.
[0144] The cover glass may include a hole formed through the cover
glass. The hole may refract at least a portion of light emitted
from the plurality of pixels and may refract light reflected by a
finger making contact with the cover glass from the refracted
light.
[0145] The electronic device may further include a photo-chromic
layer disposed over the fingerprint sensor and having a hole in an
area corresponding to the fingerprint sensor. The photo-chromic
layer may change in color if a current is applied to the
photo-chromic layer, and the photo-chromic layer may block out
external light input to the fingerprint sensor from outside the
electronic device.
[0146] The electronic device may further include a filter disposed
over the fingerprint sensor and transmitting light in a visible
wavelength range.
[0147] An electronic device includes a cover glass forming an outer
surface of the electronic device, a first guide structure disposed
below the cover glass and transmitting light polarized in a
specified direction, and a display panel disposed below the first
guide structure and including a plurality of pixels. The display
panel may include a second guide structure transmitting light
polarized in the specified direction and a pixel layer disposed
below the second guide structure and including the plurality of
pixels. Each of the plurality of pixels may include a plurality of
sub-pixels and a fingerprint sensor.
[0148] The fingerprint sensor may acquire a user's fingerprint
information using light that passed through the first and second
guide structures, from light reflected by a user's finger making
contact with the cover glass after emitted from the plurality of
pixels. The electronic device may further include an optical guide
refracting at least a portion of light emitted from the plurality
of pixels and refracting light reflected by a finger making contact
with the cover glass from the refracted light.
[0149] The electronic device may further include a photo-chromic
layer disposed over the fingerprint sensor and having a hole in an
area corresponding to the fingerprint sensor. The photo-chromic
layer may change in color if a current is applied to the
photo-chromic layer, and the photo-chromic layer may block out
external light input to the fingerprint sensor from outside the
electronic device.
[0150] An electronic device may include a cover glass forming an
outer surface of the electronic device, a first guide structure
disposed below the cover glass and transmitting light polarized in
a specified direction, a display panel disposed below the first
guide structure and including a plurality of pixels and a second
guide structure transmitting light polarized in the specified
direction, and a fingerprint sensor disposed below the display
panel.
[0151] FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a process of acquiring
fingerprint information by turning on pixels arranged in a region
of the display 130. FIG. 16 illustrates the electronic device 100
that includes the display 130, a region of which is turned on, the
fingerprint sensor 171, and a region of which is turned off. In the
present disclosure, a direction (e.g., a first direction and a
second direction) may be any direction on the display 130.
[0152] Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, in step 1510, the processor
151 may allow the display 130 to turn on (or activate) pixels (or
light emitting elements) arranged in a first region 1602 if a
finger makes contact with the fingerprint sensing area 110b. The
fingerprint sensing area 110b and the contact area 110a with which
the finger makes contact may be the same as the fingerprint sensing
area 110b and the contact area 110a described above with reference
to FIG. 1. The first region 1602 may correspond to the fingerprint
sensing area 110b and may include at least some of the pixels
included in the display 130.
[0153] If the pixels are turned on, the processor 151 may, in step
1520, allow the fingerprint sensor 171 to turn off (or deactivate)
a region 1612 of a light receiving unit 171c (or a light receiving
element) that is associated with the first region 1602 in an area
131c corresponding to the fingerprint sensing area 110b. The
fingerprint sensor 171 may include the light receiving unit 171c
that receives light, and the light receiving unit 171c may be
divided into a plurality of regions. When the fingerprint sensor
171 turns off the region 1612 of the light receiving unit 171c that
corresponds to the first region 1602, the processor 151 may turn on
the remaining regions of the light receiving unit 171c that do not
correspond to the first region 1602.
[0154] If the light receiving unit 171c and the pixels are disposed
adjacent to each other, light emitted from the pixels may be
directly input to the light receiving unit 171c. Since the light
directly input to the light receiving unit 171c can cause noise in
the fingerprint sensor 171, a fingerprint recognition rate may be
increased by turning off the region 1612 of the light receiving
unit 171c that corresponds to the turned on pixels.
[0155] If the region 1612 of the light receiving unit 171c that
corresponds to the first region 1602 is turned off, the processor
151 may, in step 1530, allow the fingerprint sensor 171 to acquire
a first fingerprint information based on light emitted from the
pixels arranged in the first region 1602. The light emitted from
the pixels arranged in the first region 1602 may be reflected by
the finger 300 making contact with the cover glass 110, and the
fingerprint sensor 171 may acquire the a first fingerprint
information based on the reflected light.
[0156] Since the region 1612 of the light receiving unit 171c that
corresponds to the first region 1602 is turned off in step 1520,
fingerprint information in the region 1612 corresponding to the
first region 1602 may not be acquired. However, since the remaining
regions of the light receiving unit 171c that do not correspond to
the first region 1602 are turned on, the fingerprint sensor 171 may
acquire the first fingerprint information through the regions
thereof that do not correspond to the first region 1602.
[0157] If the first fingerprint information is acquired, the
processor 151 may, in step 1540, allow the display 130 to turn off
the pixels arranged in the first region 1602. If the pixels
arranged in the first region 1602 are turned off, the processor 151
may set a second region 1604 in step 1550. The second region 1604
may correspond to the fingerprint sensing area 110b and may include
at least some of the pixels included in the display 130. The first
and second regions 1602 and 1604, respectively, may or may not
overlap each other. While FIG. 16 shows that the second region 1604
is set to be spaced apart from the first region 1602 in the first
direction, the second region 1604 may be set to be spaced apart
from the first region 1602 in the second direction.
[0158] The second region 1604 may be set based on the first
fingerprint information. For example, the processor 151 may acquire
fingerprint information that is not present in the first
fingerprint information. If fingerprint information that is not
present in the first fingerprint information is acquired, the
processor 151 may set the second region 1604 to acquire the
fingerprint information that is not present in the first
fingerprint information. Referring to FIG. 16, since a portion of
the left region of the fingerprint area does not exist, the
processor 151 may set the second region 1604 to acquire the portion
of the left region of the fingerprint area.
[0159] If the second region 1604 is set, the processor 151 may, in
step 1560, allow the display 130 to turn on the pixels arranged in
the second region 1604. If the pixels arranged in the second region
1604 are turned on, the processor 151 may, in step 1570, allow the
fingerprint sensor 171 to turn off a region 1614 of the light
receiving unit 171c that corresponds to the second region 1604. If
the region 1614 of the light receiving unit 171c is turned off, the
processor 151 may, in step 1580, allow the fingerprint sensor 171
to acquire a second fingerprint information based on light emitted
from the pixels arranged in the second region 1604.
[0160] If the second fingerprint information is acquired, the
processor 151 may, in step 1590, determine whether the acquired
fingerprint information is sufficient. For example, the processor
151 may determine whether the acquired fingerprint image is greater
than or equal to an area set in advance. If the acquired
fingerprint image is greater than or equal to the area set in
advance, the processor 151 may store, in the memory 152, the
positions of minutia points, the distribution of minutia points,
and the like on the basis of the acquired fingerprint image. If the
acquired fingerprint image is smaller than the area set in advance,
the processor 151 may set an additional region 1606 to acquire an
additional image. The processor 151 may repeat steps 1550 to 1580
until a sufficient fingerprint image is acquired.
[0161] Referring to FIG. 16, in the case where the processor 151
repeats steps 1550 to 1580, the processor 151 may set an additional
region 1606 while moving the additional region 1606 on the display
130 in the first direction. The processor 151 may set the
additional region 1606 such that the additional region 1606 is
spaced apart from the first region 1602 in the second direction. If
the processor 151 sets the additional region 1606, acquired
additional fingerprint information may also be varied depending on
the position of the additional region 1606. The processor 151 may
repeat steps 1550 to 1580 until sufficient fingerprint information
is acquired by adding additional fingerprint information.
[0162] FIGS. 17A to 17D illustrate the display 130 that includes
pixels turned on in a predetermined sequence and the fingerprint
sensor 171 that acquires fingerprint information based on light
emitted from the turned on pixels.
[0163] Referring to FIG. 17A, the processor 151 may allow the
display 130 to turn on pixels arranged in the first region 1602. In
response to the turn on of the pixels arranged in the first region
1602, the processor 151 may turn off the region 1612 of the light
receiving unit 171c that corresponds to the first region 1602. If
the pixels arranged in the first region 1602 are turned on and the
region 1612 of the light receiving unit 171c is turned off, the
processor 151 may allow the fingerprint sensor 171 to acquire a
first fingerprint information based on light emitted from the
pixels arranged in the first region 1602.
[0164] If the first fingerprint information is acquired, the
processor 151 may set the second region 1604 such that the second
region 1604 is spaced apart from the first region 1602 on the
display 130 in the first direction. If the second region 1604 is
set, the processor 151 may allow the fingerprint sensor 171 to
acquire a second fingerprint information based on light emitted
from pixels arranged in the second region 1604. While FIG. 17A
shows that the second region 1604 is set to be spaced apart from
the first region 1602 in the first direction, the position of the
second region 1604 may be different from that is shown in FIG. 17A.
Furthermore, while FIG. 17A shows that the second region 1604 has
the same size and shape as the first region 1602, the size and
shape of the second region 1604 are not limited to the above
described embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0165] If the second fingerprint information is acquired, the
processor 151 may determine whether the fingerprint information is
sufficient, and may set the additional region 1606 if the
fingerprint information is insufficient. The additional region 1606
may be spaced apart from the second region 1604 on the display 130
in the first direction. If the additional region 1606 is set, the
processor 151 may allow the fingerprint sensor 171 to acquire
additional fingerprint information based on light emitted from
pixels arranged in the additional region 1606. The method of
acquiring the additional fingerprint information by the processor
151 may be the same as the method of acquiring the first and second
fingerprint information. For example, a region 1616 of the light
receiving unit 171c may be turned off when the pixels arranged in
the additional region 1606 are turned on. If sufficient fingerprint
information is not acquired despite the additional fingerprint
information, the processor 151 may repeatedly set other additional
regions 1608 and 1610 until sufficient fingerprint information is
acquired. When pixels arranged in the other additional regions 1608
and 1610 are turned on, regions 1618 and 1620 of the light
receiving unit 171c may be turned off.
[0166] While FIG. 17A shows that the additional region 1606 is set
to be spaced apart from the second region 1604 in the first
direction, the position of the additional region 1606 may be
different from that shown in FIG. 17A. For example, the additional
region 1606 may be set at the position of the first region 1602.
Furthermore, while FIG. 17A shows that the additional region 1606
has the same size and shape as the second region 1604, the size and
shape of the additional region 1606 are not limited to the above
described embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0167] Referring to FIG. 17B, the processor 151 may allow the
display 130 to turn on pixels arranged in the first region 1602. If
the pixels arranged in the first region 1602 are turned on, the
processor 151 may acquire a first fingerprint information based on
light emitted from the pixels arranged in the first region 1602.
When the pixels arranged in the first region 1602 are turned on,
the region 1612 of the light receiving unit 171c may be turned off.
If the first fingerprint information is acquired, the processor 151
may set the remaining regions other than the first region 1602,
from the area 131c corresponding to the fingerprint sensing area
110b, as the second region 1604. The processor 151 may set the
whole area 131c, which corresponds to the fingerprint sensing area
110b, as the second region 1604 and may set the second region 1604
such that a portion of the first region 1602 is included in the
second region 1604. If the second region 1604 is set, the processor
151 may allow the fingerprint sensor 171 to acquire a second
fingerprint information based on light emitted from pixels arranged
in the second region 1604. When the pixels arranged in the second
region 1604 are turned on, the region 1614 of the light receiving
unit 171c may be turned off.
[0168] Referring to FIG. 17C, the processor 151 may allow the
display 130 to turn on pixels arranged in the first region 1602. If
the pixels arranged in the first region 1602 are turned on, the
processor 151 may allow the fingerprint sensor 171 to turn on only
regions that are spaced a predetermined distance apart from the
region 1612 of the light receiving unit 171c that corresponds to
the first region 1602. The processor 151 may allow the fingerprint
sensor 171 to acquire a first fingerprint information through the
turned on regions.
[0169] If the first fingerprint information is acquired, the
processor 151 may set the second region 1604 such that the second
region 1604 is spaced apart from the first region 1602 in the first
direction. If the second region 1604 is set, the processor 151 may
allow the fingerprint sensor 171 to turn on only regions that are
spaced a predetermined distance apart from the region 1614 of the
light receiving unit 171c that corresponds to the second region
1604. The processor 151 may allow the fingerprint sensor 171 to
acquire a second fingerprint information through the turned on
regions.
[0170] If the second fingerprint information is acquired, the
processor 151 may determine whether the fingerprint information is
sufficient, and in the case where the fingerprint information is
insufficient, the processor 151 may set the additional region 1606.
The additional region 1606 may be set to be spaced apart from the
second region 1604 on the display 130 in the first direction. If
the additional region 1606 is set, the processor 151 may allow the
fingerprint sensor 171 to turn on only regions that are spaced a
predetermined distance apart from the region 1616 of the light
receiving unit 171c that corresponds to the additional region 1606.
The processor 151 may allow the fingerprint sensor 171 to acquire
additional fingerprint information through the turned on regions.
If sufficient fingerprint information is not acquired despite the
additional fingerprint information, the processor 151 may
repeatedly set the other additional regions 1608 and 1610 until
sufficient fingerprint information is acquired. When pixels
arranged in the other additional regions 1608 and 1610 are turned
on, the processor 151 may allow the fingerprint sensor 171 to turn
on only regions that are spaced a predetermined distance apart from
the regions 1618 and 1620 of the light receiving unit 171c that
correspond to the other additional regions 1608 and 1610.
[0171] Referring to FIG. 17D, the processor 151 may allow the
display 130 to turn on pixels arranged in the first region 1602. If
the pixels arranged in the first region 1602 are turned on, the
processor 151 may allow the fingerprint sensor 171 to turn on only
regions oriented in the first and/or second direction from the
region 1612 of the light receiving unit 171c that corresponds to
the first region 1602. The processor 151 may allow the fingerprint
sensor 171 to acquire a first fingerprint information through the
turned on regions.
[0172] If the first fingerprint information is acquired, the
processor 151 may set the second region 1604 such that the second
region 1604 is spaced apart from the first region 1602 in the first
direction. If the second region 1604 is set, the processor 151 may
allow the fingerprint sensor 171 to turn on only regions oriented
in the first and/or second direction from the region 1614 of the
light receiving unit 171c that corresponds to the second region
1604. The processor 151 may allow the fingerprint sensor 171 to
acquire a second fingerprint information through the turned on
regions.
[0173] If the second fingerprint information is acquired, the
processor 151 may determine whether the fingerprint information is
sufficient, and in the case where the fingerprint information is
insufficient, the processor 151 may set the additional region 1606.
The additional region 1606 may be set to be spaced apart from the
second region 1604 on the display 130 in the first direction. If
the additional region 1606 is set, the processor 151 may allow the
fingerprint sensor 171 to turn on only regions oriented in the
first and/or second direction from the region 1616 of the light
receiving unit 171c that corresponds to the additional region 1606.
The processor 151 may allow the fingerprint sensor 171 to acquire
additional fingerprint information through the turned on regions.
If sufficient fingerprint information is not acquired despite the
additional fingerprint information, the processor 151 may
repeatedly set the other additional regions 1608 and 1610 until
sufficient fingerprint information is acquired. When pixels
arranged in the other additional regions 1608 and 1610 are turned
on, the processor 151 may allow the fingerprint sensor 171 to turn
on only regions oriented in the first and/or second direction from
the regions 1618 and 1620 of the light receiving unit 171c that
correspond to the other additional regions 1608 and 1610.
[0174] While FIG. 17D shows that the processor 151 sets the first
region 1602, the second region 1604, and the additional region 1606
along the first direction, the first region 1602, the second region
1604, and the additional region 1606 may be set along the second
direction. For example, the processor 151 may set the region 1610
as the first region and may set the region 1608 as the second
region. If the second region is set, the processor 151 may set the
region 1606 as the additional region.
[0175] The positions of pixels that are turned on, regions of the
light receiving unit that are turned off, the positions of
additional regions, and the like are not limited to what is shown
in FIGS. 17A to 17D.
[0176] An electronic device includes a cover glass on which a
fingerprint sensing area is displayed, a display panel disposed
below the cover glass and including a plurality of pixels, a
fingerprint sensor disposed below the display panel, and a
processor electrically connected with the display panel and the
fingerprint sensor. If a finger makes contact with the fingerprint
sensing area, the processor may allow the display panel to turn on
pixels arranged in a first region of an area thereof that
corresponds to the area with which the finger makes contact. In
response to the turn on of the pixels arranged in the first region,
the processor may allow the fingerprint sensor to acquire a first
fingerprint information based on light emitted from the pixels
arranged in the first region. In response to the acquisition of the
first fingerprint information, the processor may allow the display
panel to turn off the pixels arranged in the first region and to
turn on pixels arranged in a second region of the area thereof that
corresponds to the area with which the finger makes contact. In
response to the turn on of the pixels arranged in the second
region, the processor may allow the fingerprint sensor to acquire a
second fingerprint information based on light emitted from the
pixels arranged in the second region.
[0177] The fingerprint sensor may include a light receiving unit
that is divided into a plurality of regions. In response to the
turn on of the pixels arranged in the first region, the processor
may allow the fingerprint sensor to turn off a region corresponding
to the first region, from the plurality of regions of the light
receiving unit. In response to the turn on of the pixels arranged
in the second region, the processor may allow the fingerprint
sensor to turn off a region corresponding to the second region,
from the plurality of regions of the light receiving unit.
[0178] The electronic device may include a first guide structure
disposed below the cover glass and transmitting light polarized in
a specified direction, and a second guide structure disposed
between the display panel and the fingerprint sensor and
transmitting light polarized in the specified direction.
[0179] The fingerprint sensor may acquire the first fingerprint
information based on light having passed through the first and
second guide structures, from light reflected by a user's finger
making contact with the cover glass after emitted from the pixels
arranged in the first region, and the fingerprint sensor may
acquire the second fingerprint information based on light having
passed through the first and second guide structures, from light
reflected by the user's finger making contact with the cover glass
after emitted from the pixels arranged in the second region.
[0180] An electronic device includes a cover glass on which a
fingerprint sensing area is displayed, a display panel disposed
below the cover glass and including a plurality of pixels, a
fingerprint sensor disposed below the display panel, and a
processor electrically connected with the display panel and the
fingerprint sensor. If a finger makes contact with the fingerprint
sensing area, the processor may allow the display panel to turn on
pixels arranged in a first region of an area thereof that
corresponds to the area with which the finger makes contact. In
response to the turn on of the pixels arranged in the first region,
the processor may allow the fingerprint sensor to acquire a first
fingerprint image based on light emitted from the pixels arranged
in the first region. In response to the acquisition of the first
fingerprint image, the processor may allow the display panel to
turn off the pixels arranged in the first region and to turn on
pixels arranged in a second region of the area thereof that
corresponds to the area with which the finger makes contact, based
on the first fingerprint image. In response to the turn on of the
pixels arranged in the second region, the processor may allow the
fingerprint sensor to acquire a second fingerprint image based on
light emitted from the pixels arranged in the second region.
[0181] The fingerprint sensor may include a light receiving unit
having a plurality of divided regions. In response to the turn on
of the pixels arranged in the first region, the processor may allow
the fingerprint sensor to turn off a region corresponding to the
first region, from the plurality of regions of the light receiving
unit. In response to the turn on of the pixels arranged in the
second region, the processor may allow the fingerprint sensor to
turn off a region corresponding to the second region, from the
plurality of regions of the light receiving unit.
[0182] The electronic device may further include a first guide
structure disposed below the cover glass and transmitting light
polarized in a specified direction, and a second guide structure
disposed between the display panel and the fingerprint sensor and
transmitting light polarized in the specified direction.
[0183] The fingerprint sensor may acquire the first fingerprint
image based on light that passed through the first and second guide
structures, from reflected light reflected by a user's finger
making contact with the cover glass after emitted from the pixels
arranged in the first region, and the fingerprint sensor may
acquire the second fingerprint image based on light that passed
through the first and second guide structures, from reflected light
reflected by the user's finger making contact with the cover glass
after emitted from the pixels arranged in the second region.
[0184] An electronic device includes a display that provides a
light source for an image sensor, a fingerprint sensor disposed on
a bottom surface of the display panel, and a processor. The
processor may be configured to activate a first light emitting
element of the display if sensing a user's fingerprint input on the
display; activate a first light receiving element of the
fingerprint sensor that has been configured in advance to
correspond to the first light emitting element of the display;
acquire a first fingerprint image corresponding to the fingerprint
through the first light receiving element; deactivate the first
light emitting element and the first light receiving element;
activate a second light emitting element of the display and a
second light receiving element of the fingerprint sensor that has
been configured in advance to correspond to the second light
emitting element; acquire a second fingerprint image corresponding
to the fingerprint through the second light receiving element; and
acquire a third fingerprint image by composing the first and second
fingerprint images.
[0185] An electronic device includes a display that provides a
light source for an image sensor, a fingerprint sensor disposed on
a bottom surface of the display panel, and a processor. The
processor may be configured to activate a first light emitting
element of the display if sensing a user's fingerprint input on the
display; activate a light receiving element of the fingerprint
sensor; acquire a first fingerprint image corresponding to the
fingerprint through the light receiving element; create first
information about at least a region of the first fingerprint image
that corresponds to the first light emitting element; deactivate
the first light emitting element; activate a second light emitting
element of the display; acquire a second fingerprint image
corresponding to the fingerprint through the light receiving
element of the fingerprint sensor; create second information about
at least a region of the second fingerprint image that corresponds
to the second light emitting element; and acquire a third
fingerprint image by composing an image corresponding to the first
information, from the first fingerprint image, and an image
corresponding to the second information, from the second
fingerprint image.
[0186] FIG. 18 illustrates an electronic device in a network
environment.
[0187] Referring to FIG. 18 an electronic device 1801, a first
electronic device 1802, a second electronic device 1804, and a
server 1806 may be connected with each other over a network 1862 or
local wireless communication 1864. The electronic device 1801 may
include a bus 1810, a processor 1820, a memory 1830, an
input/output interface 1850, a display 1860, and a communication
interface 1870. The electronic device 1801 may not include at least
one of the above described elements or may further include other
element(s).
[0188] For example, the bus 1810 may interconnect the above
described elements 1810 to 1870 and may include a circuit for
conveying communications (e.g., a control message and/or data)
among the above described elements.
[0189] The processor 1820 may include one or more of a CPU, an AP,
or a communication processor (CP). For example, the processor 1820
may perform an arithmetic operation or data processing associated
with control and/or communication of other elements of the
electronic device 1801.
[0190] The memory 1830 may include a volatile and/or nonvolatile
memory. For example, the memory 1830 may store instructions or data
associated with at least one other element(s) of the electronic
device 1801. The memory 1830 may store software and/or a program
1840. The program 1840 may include a kernel 1841, a middleware
1843, an application programming interface (API) 1845, and/or an
application program (or an application) 1847. At least a part of
the kernel 1841, the middleware 1843, or the API 1845 may be
referred to as an operating system (OS).
[0191] For example, the kernel 1841 may control or manage system
resources (e.g., the bus 1810, the processor 1820, the memory 1830,
and the like) that are used to execute operations or functions of
other programs (e.g., the middleware 1843, the API 1845, and the
application program 1847). Furthermore, the kernel 1841 may provide
an interface that allows the middleware 1843, the API 1845, or the
application program 1847 to access discrete elements of the
electronic device 1801 to control or manage system resources.
[0192] The middleware 1843 may perform a mediation role such that
the API 1845 or the application program 1847 communicates with the
kernel 1841 to exchange data.
[0193] Furthermore, the middleware 1843 may process one or more
task requests received from the application program 1847 according
to a task's assigned priority. For example, the middleware 1843 may
assign the priority, which makes it possible to use a system
resource (e.g., the bus 1810, the processor 1820, the memory 1830,
or the like) of the electronic device 1801, to at least one of the
application program 1847. For example, the middleware 1843 may
process one or more task requests according to the priority
assigned which makes it possible to perform scheduling or load
balancing of the one or more task requests.
[0194] The API 1845 may be an interface through which the
application program 1847 controls a function provided by the kernel
1841 or the middleware 1843, and may include, at least one
interface or function (e.g., an instruction) for a file control, a
window control, image processing, a character control, and the
like.
[0195] The input/output interface 1850 may play a role, for
example, an interface which transmits an instruction or data input
from a user or another external device, to other element(s) of the
electronic device 1801. Furthermore, the input/output interface
1850 may output an instruction or data, received from other
element(s) of the electronic device 1801, to a user or another
external device.
[0196] The display 1860 may include a liquid crystal display (LCD),
a light emitting diode (LED) display, an organic LED (OLED)
display, a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) display, or an
electronic paper display. The display 1860 may display various
forms of content (e.g., a text, an image, a video, an icon, a
symbol, and the like) to a user. The display 1860 may include a
touch screen and may receive a touch, a gesture, a proximity, or a
hovering input using an electronic pen or a part of a user's
body.
[0197] The communication interface 1870 may establish communication
between the electronic device 1801 and an external device (e.g.,
the first electronic device 1802, the second electronic device
1804, or the server 1806). For example, the communication interface
1870 may be connected to the network 1862 over wireless
communication or wired communication to communicate with the
external device.
[0198] The wireless communication may use at least one of long-term
evolution (LTE), LTE advanced (LTE-A), code division multiple
access (CDMA), wideband CDMA (WCDMA), universal mobile
telecommunications system (UMTS), wireless broadband (WiBro),
global system for mobile communications (GSM), or the like, as a
cellular communication protocol. Furthermore, the wireless
communication may include the local wireless communication 1864.
The local wireless communication 1864 may include at least one of
wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth.TM., near field communication
(NFC), magnetic secure transmission (MST), GNSS, and the like.
[0199] The MST may generate a pulse in response to transmission
data using an electromagnetic signal, and the pulse may generate a
magnetic field signal. The electronic device 1801 may transfer the
magnetic field signal to a POS device, and the POS device may
detect the magnetic field signal using an MST reader. The POS
device may recover the data by converting the detected magnetic
field signal to an electrical signal.
[0200] The GNSS may include at least one of a global positioning
system (GPS), a global navigation satellite system (Glonass), a
Beidou navigation satellite system (Beidou), or a European global
satellite-based navigation system (Galileo) based on an available
region, a bandwidth, or the like. In the present disclosure, "GPS"
and "GNSS" may be interchangeably used. The wired communication may
include at least one of a universal serial bus (USB), a high
definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a recommended standard 232
(RS-232), a plain old telephone service (POTS), or the like. The
network 1862 may include at least one telecommunications network,
for example, a computer network (e.g., LAN or WAN), an Internet, or
a telephone network.
[0201] Each of the first and second electronic devices 1802 and
1804 may be a device of which the type is different from or the
same as that of the electronic device 1801. The server 1806 may
include a group of one or more servers. All or a portion of
operations that the electronic device 1801 performs may be executed
by another or a plurality of electronic devices (e.g., the first
electronic device 1802, the second electronic device 1804, or the
server 1806). In the case where the electronic device 1801 executes
any function or service automatically or in response to a request,
the electronic device 1801 may not perform the function or the
service internally, but, alternatively additionally, it may request
at least a portion of a function associated with the electronic
device 1801 from other electronic device. The other electronic
device may execute the requested function or additional function
and may transmit the execution result to the electronic device
1801. The electronic device 1801 may provide the requested function
or service using the received result or may perform additional
processing on the received result to provide the requested function
or service. To this end cloud computing, distributed computing, or
client-server computing may be used.
[0202] FIG. 19 illustrates a block diagram of an electronic
device.
[0203] Referring to FIG. 19, an electronic device 1901 may include
all or a part of the electronic device 1801 shown in FIG. 18. The
electronic device 1901 may include one or more processors (e.g., an
AP) 1910, a communication module 1920, a subscriber identification
module (SIM) 1929, a memory 1930, a sensor module 1940, an input
device 1950, a display 1960, an interface 1970, an audio module
1980, a camera module 1991, a power management module 1995, a
battery 1996, an indicator 1997, and a motor 1998.
[0204] The processor 1910 may drive an OS or an application to
control a plurality of hardware or software elements connected to
the processor 1910, and may process and compute a variety of data.
The processor 1910 may be implemented with a system on Chip (SoC).
The processor 1910 may further include a graphic processing unit
(GPU) and/or an image signal processor. The processor 1910 may
include at least a part (e.g., a cellular module 1921) of elements
shown in FIG. 19. The processor 1910 may load an instruction or
data, which is received from at least one of other elements (e.g.,
a nonvolatile memory), into a volatile memory and process the
loaded instruction or data. The processor 1910 may store a variety
of data in the nonvolatile memory.
[0205] The communication module 1920 may be configured the same as
or similar to the communication interface 1870 of FIG. 18. The
communication module 1920 may include the cellular module 1921, a
Wi-Fi module 1922, a Bluetooth.TM. (BT) module 1923, a GNSS module
1924 (e.g., a GPS module, a Glonass module, a Beidou module, or a
Galileo module), NFC module 1925, an MST module 1926, and a radio
frequency (RF) module 1927.
[0206] The cellular module 1921 may provide voice communication,
video communication, a character service, an Internet service, or
the like over a communication network. The cellular module 1921 may
perform discrimination and authentication of the electronic device
1901 within a communication network by using the SIM (e.g., a SIM
card) 1929. The cellular module 1921 may perform at least a portion
of functions that the processor 1910 provides. The cellular module
1921 may include a CP.
[0207] Each of the Wi-Fi module 1922, the BT module 1923, the GNSS
module 1924, the NFC module 1925, or the MST module 1926 may
include a processor for processing data exchanged through a
corresponding module. At least a part (e.g., two or more) of the
cellular module 1921, the Wi-Fi module 1922, the BT module 1923,
the GNSS module 1924, the NFC module 1925, or the MST module 1926
may be included within one Integrated Circuit (IC) or an IC
package.
[0208] The RF module 1927 may transmit and receive a communication
signal (e.g., an RF signal). The RF module 1927 may include a
transceiver, a power amplifier module (PAM), a frequency filter, a
low noise amplifier (LNA), an antenna, or the like. At least one of
the cellular module 1921, the Wi-Fi module 1922, the BT module
1923, the GNSS module 1924, the NFC module 1925, or the MST module
1926 may transmit and receive an RF signal through a separate RF
module.
[0209] The SIM 1929 may include a card and/or embedded SIM that
includes a SIM and may include unique identify information (e.g.,
integrated circuit card identifier (ICCID)) or subscriber
information (e.g., international mobile subscriber identity
(IMSI)).
[0210] The memory 1930 (e.g., the memory 1830) may include an
internal memory 1932 or an external memory 1934. The internal
memory 1932 may include at least one of a volatile memory (e.g., a
dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a static RAM
[0211] (SRAM), a synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), or the like), a
nonvolatile memory (e.g., a one-time programmable read only memory
(OTPROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable and programmable
ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable and programmable ROM
(EEPROM), a mask ROM, a flash ROM, a flash memory (e.g., a NAND
flash memory or a NOR flash memory), or the like), a hard drive, or
a solid state drive (SSD).
[0212] The external memory 1934 may further include a flash drive
such as compact flash (CF), secure digital (SD), micro secure
digital (Micro-SD), mini secure digital (Mini-SD), extreme digital
(xD), a multimedia card (MMC), a memory stick, or the like. The
external memory 1934 may be operatively and/or physically connected
to the electronic device 1901 through various interfaces.
[0213] A security module 1936 may be a module that includes a
storage space of which a security level is higher than that of the
memory 1930 and may be a circuit that guarantees safe data storage
and a protected execution environment. The security module 1936 may
be implemented with a separate circuit and may include a separate
processor. For example, the security module 1936 may be in a smart
chip or a SD card, which is removable, or may include an embedded
secure element (eSE) embedded in a fixed chip of the electronic
device 1901. Furthermore, the security module 1936 may operate
based on an OS that is different from the OS of the electronic
device 1901. For example, the security module 1936 may operate
based on java card open platform (JCOP) OS.
[0214] The sensor module 1940 may measure a physical quantity or
may detect an operation state of the electronic device 1901. The
sensor module 1940 may convert the measured or detected information
to an electric signal. The sensor module 1940 may include at least
one of a gesture sensor 1940A, a gyro sensor 1940B, a barometric
pressure sensor 1940C, a magnetic sensor 1940D, an acceleration
sensor 1940E, a grip sensor 1940F, the proximity sensor 1940G, a
color sensor 1940H (e.g., red, green, blue (RGB) sensor), a
biometric sensor 1940I, a temperature/humidity sensor 1940J, an
illuminance sensor 1940K, or an UV sensor 1940M. The sensor module
1940 may further include an e-nose sensor, an electromyography
(EMG) sensor, an electroencephalogram (EEG) sensor, an
electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, an iris
sensor, and/or a fingerprint sensor. The sensor module 1940 may
further include a control circuit for controlling at least one or
more sensors included therein. The electronic device 1901 may
further include a processor that is a part of the processor 1910 or
independent of the processor 1910, and is configured to control the
sensor module 1940. The processor may control the sensor module
1940 while the processor 1910 remains in a sleep state.
[0215] The input device 1950 may include a touch panel 1952, a
(digital) pen sensor 1954, a key 1956, or an ultrasonic input unit
1958. The touch panel 1952 may use at least one of capacitive,
resistive, infrared, and ultrasonic detecting methods. Also, the
touch panel 1952 may further include a control circuit. The touch
panel 1952 may further include a tactile layer to provide a tactile
reaction to a user.
[0216] The (digital) pen sensor 1954 may be a part of a touch panel
or may include an additional sheet for recognition. The key 1956
may include a physical button, an optical key, or a keypad. The
ultrasonic input device 1958 may detect (or sense) an ultrasonic
signal, which is generated from an input device, through a
microphone 1988 and may check data corresponding to the detected
ultrasonic signal.
[0217] The display 1960 (e.g., the display 1860) may include a
panel 1962, a hologram device 1964, or a projector 1966. The panel
1962 may be the same as or similar to the display 1860 shown in
FIG. 18. The panel 1962 may be implemented to be flexible,
transparent, or wearable. The panel 1962 and the touch panel 1952
may be integrated into a single module. The panel 1962 may include
a pressure sensor (or force sensor) that measures the intensity of
touch pressure by a user. The pressure sensor may be integrated
with the touch panel 1952, or may be implemented as at least one
sensor separately from the touch panel 1952. The hologram device
1964 may display a stereoscopic image in a space using a light
interference phenomenon. The projector 1966 may project light onto
a screen to display an image. The screen may be arranged in the
inside or the outside of the electronic device 1901. The display
1960 may further include a control circuit for controlling the
panel 1962, the hologram device 1964, or the projector 1966.
[0218] The interface 1970 may include a high-definition multimedia
interface (HDMI) 1972, a universal serial bus (USB) 1974, an
optical interface 1976, or a D-subminiature (D-sub) 1978. The
interface 1970 may be included in the communication interface 1870
shown in FIG. 18. Additionally or generally, the interface 1970 may
include a mobile high definition link (MHL) interface, a SD
card/multi-media card (MMC) interface, or an Infrared Data
Association (IrDA) standard interface.
[0219] The audio module 1980 may convert a sound and an electric
signal in dual directions. At least a part of the audio module 1980
may be included in the input/output interface 1850 shown in FIG.
18. The audio module 1980 may process sound information that is
input or output through a speaker 1982, a receiver 1984, an
earphone 1986, or the microphone 1988.
[0220] The camera module 1991 may shoot a still image or a video.
The camera module 1991 may include at least one or more image
sensors (e.g., a front sensor or a rear sensor), a lens, an image
signal processor (ISP), or a flash (e.g., an LED or a xenon
lamp).
[0221] The power management module 1995 may manage power of the
electronic device 1901. A power management integrated circuit
(PMIC), a charger IC, or a battery gauge may be included in the
power management module 1995. The PMIC may have a wired charging
method and/or a wireless charging method. The wireless charging
method may include a magnetic resonance method, a magnetic
induction method, or an electromagnetic method, and may further
include an additional circuit, for example, a coil loop, a resonant
circuit, a rectifier, or the like. The battery gauge may measure a
remaining capacity of the battery 1996 and a voltage, current, or
temperature thereof while the battery is charged. The battery 1996
may include a rechargeable battery and/or a solar battery.
[0222] The indicator 1997 may display a specific state of the
electronic device 1901 or a part thereof (e.g., the processor
1910), such as a booting state, a message state, a charging state,
and the like. The motor 1998 may convert an electrical signal into
a mechanical vibration and may generate the following effects:
vibration, haptic, and the like. A processing device (e.g., a GPU)
for supporting a mobile TV may be included in the electronic device
1901. The processing device for supporting the mobile TV may
process media data according to the standards of digital multimedia
broadcasting (DMB), digital video broadcasting (DVB), MediaFLO.TM.,
or the like.
[0223] Each of the above mentioned elements of the electronic
device may be configured with one or more components, and the names
of the elements may be changed according to the type of the
electronic device. The electronic device may include at least one
of the above mentioned elements, and some elements may be omitted
or other additional elements may be added. Furthermore, some of the
elements of the electronic device may be combined with each other
to form one entity, so that the functions of the elements may be
performed in the same manner as before the combination.
[0224] FIG. 20 shows a block diagram of a program module.
[0225] A program module 2010 may include an OS to control resources
associated with an electronic device 1801, and/or applications. The
OS may be Android.TM., iOS.TM. Windows.TM., Symbian.TM., Tizen.TM.,
or Bada.TM..
[0226] The program module 2010 may include a kernel 2020, a
middleware 2030, an API 2060, and/or an application 2070. At least
a portion of the program module 2010 may be preloaded on an
electronic device or may be downloadable from an external
electronic device (e.g., the first electronic device 1802, the
second electronic device 1804, the server 1806, or the like).
[0227] The kernel 2020 may include a system resource manager 2021
or a device driver 2023. The system resource manager 2021 may
control, allocate, or retrieve system resources. The system
resource manager 2021 may include a process managing unit, a memory
managing unit, a file system managing unit, or the like. The device
driver 2023 may include a display driver, a camera driver, a
Bluetooth.TM. driver, a shared memory driver, a USB driver, a
keypad driver, a Wi-Fi driver, an audio driver, or an inter-process
communication (IPC) driver.
[0228] The middleware 2030 may provide a function that the
application 2070 needs in common, or may provide functions to the
application 2070 through the API 2060 to allow the application 2070
to efficiently use the limited system resources of the electronic
device. The middleware 2030 may include at least one of a runtime
library 2035, an application manager 2041, a window manager 2042, a
multimedia manager 2043, a resource manager 2044, a power manager
2045, a database manager 2046, a package manager 2047, a
connectivity manager 2048, a notification manager 2049, a location
manager 2050, a graphic manager 2051, a security manager 2052, or a
payment manager 2054.
[0229] The runtime library 2035 may include a library module that
is used by a compiler to add a new function through a programming
language while the application 2070 is being executed. The runtime
library 2035 may perform input/output management, memory
management, or capacities about arithmetic functions.
[0230] The application manager 2041 may manage a life cycle of at
least one application of the application 2070. The window manager
2042 may manage a graphic user interface (GUI) resource. The
multimedia manager 2043 may identify a format necessary for playing
media files, and may perform encoding or decoding of media files by
using a codec suitable for the format. The resource manager 2044
may manage resources such as a storage space, memory, or source
code of at least one application of the application 2070.
[0231] The power manager 2045 may operate with a basic input/output
system (BIOS) to manage a battery or power, and may provide power
information about the electronic device. The database manager 2046
may generate, search for, or modify database that can be used in at
least one application of the application 2070. The package manager
2047 may install or update an application that is distributed in
the form of package file.
[0232] The connectivity manager 2048 may manage a wireless
connection such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.TM.. The notification manager
2049 may display or notify an event such as an arrival message, an
appointment, or a proximity notification to a user. The location
manager 2050 may manage location information about an electronic
device. The graphic manager 2051 may manage a graphic effect that
is provided to a user, or manage a user interface relevant thereto.
The security manager 2052 may provide a general security function
necessary for system security, user authentication, or the like. In
the case where an electronic device 1801 includes a telephony
function, the middleware 2030 may further include a telephony
manager for managing a voice or video call function of the
electronic device.
[0233] The middleware 2030 may include a middleware module that
combines functions of the above described elements. The middleware
2030 may provide a module specialized to each version of OS to
provide differentiated functions. Additionally, the middleware 2030
may dynamically remove a part of the preexisting elements or may
add new elements thereto.
[0234] The API 2060 may be a set of programming functions and may
be provided with a configuration that is depending on an OS. For
example, in the case where an OS is the Android.TM. or the iOS.TM.,
it may provide one API set per platform. In the case where an OS is
the Tizen.TM., it may provide two or more API sets per
platform.
[0235] The application 2070 may include one or more applications
capable of providing functions for a home 2071, a dialer 2072, an
SMS/MMS 2073, an instant message (IM) 2074, a browser 2075, a
camera 2076, an alarm 2077, a contact 2078, a voice dial 2079, an
e-mail 2080, a calendar 2081, a media player 2082, an album 2083, a
timepiece 2084, a payment 2085, health care (e.g., measuring an
exercise quantity, blood sugar level, or the like), or offering of
environment information (e.g., information of barometric pressure,
humidity, temperature, or the like).
[0236] The application 2070 may include an information exchanging
application to support information exchange between an electronic
device 1801 and an external electronic device (e.g., the first
electronic device 1802, or the second electronic device 1804). The
information exchanging application may include a notification relay
application for transmitting specific information to an external
electronic device, or a device management application for managing
the external electronic device.
[0237] The notification relay application may include a function
for transmitting notification information, which arise from other
applications (e.g., applications for SMS/MMS, e-mail, health care,
or environmental information), to an external electronic device.
Additionally, the notification relay application may receive
notification information from an external electronic device and
provide the notification information to a user.
[0238] The device management application may manage (e.g., install,
delete, or update) at least one function (e.g., turn on/turn off of
an external electronic device itself (or a part of components), or
adjustment of brightness (or resolution) of a display) of the
external electronic device which communicates with the electronic
device, an application running in the external electronic device,
or a service (e.g., a call service, a message service, or the like)
provided from the external electronic device.
[0239] The application 2070 may include an application (e.g., a
health care application for a mobile medical device) that is
assigned in accordance with an attribute of an external electronic
device. The application 2070 may include an application that is
received from an external electronic device. The application 2070
may include a preloaded application or a third party application
that is downloadable from a server. The names of elements of the
program module 2010 may be modifiable depending on the kind of OS
installed on the electronic device.
[0240] At least a portion of the program module 2010 may be
implemented by software, firmware, hardware, or a combination of
two or more thereof. At least a portion of the program module 2010
may be implemented (e.g., executed) by the processor. At least a
portion of the program module 2010 may include modules, programs,
routines, sets of instructions, processes, or the like for
performing one or more functions.
[0241] The term "module" used in the present disclosure may
represent a unit including one or more combinations of hardware,
software and firmware. The term "module" may be interchangeably
used with the terms "unit", "logic", "logical block", "component"
and "circuit". The "module" may be a minimum unit of an integrated
component or may be a part thereof. The "module" may be a minimum
unit for performing one or more functions or a part thereof. The
"module" may be implemented mechanically or electronically. The
"module" may include at least one of an application specific IC
(ASIC) chip, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and a
programmable logic device for performing some operations, which are
known or will be developed.
[0242] At least a part of an apparatus (e.g., modules or functions
thereof) or a method (e.g., operations) may be implemented by
instructions stored in computer readable storage media in the form
of a program module. The instruction, when executed by a processor,
may cause the one or more processors to perform a function
corresponding to the instruction. The computer readable storage
media may be the memory 1830.
[0243] A computer readable recording medium may include a hard
disk, a floppy disk, a magnetic media (e.g., a magnetic tape), an
optical media (e.g., a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM) and a
digital versatile disc (DVD), a magneto-optical media (e.g., a
floptical disk)), and hardware devices (e.g., a read only memory
(ROM), a random access memory (RAM), or a flash memory). Also, a
program instruction may include not only assembly code such as
things generated by a compiler but also a high-level language code
executable on a computer using an interpreter. The above hardware
unit may be configured to operate via one or more software modules
for performing an operation, and vice versa.
[0244] A storage medium may be provided that has instructions
stored therein. The instructions may be set to cause at least one
processor to perform at least one operation when the instructions
are executed by the at least one processor, in which the at least
one operation may include emitting light by a display panel in an
electronic device; receiving the emitted light through a first
guide structure and a second guide structure; and acquiring
fingerprint information based on the received light.
[0245] A storage medium may be provided that has instructions
stored therein. The instructions may be set to cause at least one
processor to perform at least one operation when the instructions
are executed by the at least one processor, in which the at least
one operation may include turning on pixels arranged in a first
region in an electronic device; turning off a light receiving unit
corresponding to the first region; acquiring a first fingerprint
information by using light emitted from the pixels arranged in the
first region; turning off the pixels arranged in the first region;
setting a second region; turning on pixels arranged in the second
region; turning off a light receiving unit corresponding to the
second region; acquiring a second fingerprint information by using
light emitted from the pixels arranged in the second region; and
turning off the pixels arranged in the second region.
[0246] A module or a program module may include at least one of the
above elements, or a part of the above elements may be omitted, or
additional elements may be further included. Operations performed
by a module, a program module, or other elements may be executed
sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or in a heuristic method. In
addition, some operations may be executed in different sequences or
may be omitted. Alternatively, other operations may be added.
[0247] Embodiments of the present disclosure are provided merely to
easily describe technical details of the present disclosure and to
help the understanding of the present disclosure, and are not
intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore,
it should be construed that all modifications and changes or
various other embodiments of the present disclosure based on the
technical idea of the present disclosure fall within the scope of
the present disclosure.
[0248] While the present disclosure has been shown and described
with reference to various embodiments thereof, it will be
understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form
and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit
and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended
claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *